Google today announced an acquisition of iOS-based time management app Timeful, which first launched last year. When it was released, Timeful was described as "the first intelligent time manager" for mobile devices, aiming to help users manage their lives by combining a time management app with a calendar, a to-do list, and reminders designed to reinforce positive habits.
In its current incarnation on iOS, Timeful connects to the Calendar app to import existing events into a daily view that includes all tasks that need to be completed. It also lets users create to-dos, and when there's a block of open time on a user's schedule, Timeful will insert "Habits." Habits are user-defined tasks like "Take a Walk" or "Read for 30 Minutes," and are aimed at fitting recreation or skill-building tasks into each user's schedule.
/article-new/2014/07/timeful.jpg?lossy)
Google plans to incorporate Timeful's clever time management tools into its existing products like Inbox and Calendar, making it easier for users to schedule events and find time for all tasks that need to be completed in any given day.
The Timeful team has built an impressive system that helps you organize your life by understanding your schedule, habits and needs. You can tell Timeful you want to exercise three times a week or that you need to call the bank by next Tuesday, and their system will make sure you get it done based on an understanding of both your schedule and your priorities. We're excited about all the ways Timeful's technology can be applied across products like Inbox, Calendar and beyond, so we can do more of the work for you and let you focus on being creative, having fun and spending time with the people you care about.
According to a blog post on the Timeful site, the Timeful app will continue to be available on iOS, but going forward, attention will be on "new projects at Google." Current Timeful users can export their data out of the app for use with other apps if desired.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)God damn it. Yet another well-loved application bought and killed by Google. Bastards.
This is literally, almost word for word, the exact same thought I had when I read the headline.
Doesn't matter who bought it, what matters is if it will work equally good on iOS and Android.
It already says in the article that Timeful is dead:Just because Google bought it doesn't mean it is killed.
According to a blog post on the Timeful site, the Timeful app will continue to be available on iOS, but going forward, attention will be on "new projects at Google." Current Timeful users can export their data out of the app for use with other apps if desired.
Also, as stated in the email I've just received from Timeful:What does this mean for you?
A couple things to note:
Timeful will remain in the App Store, and we'll continue to support it. We won't be adding new features, but we're more than happy to help you with bugs or answer any questions you have.
I guarantee that absolutely nothing will come of this.
Those promises that Timeful's features will be integrated into Google's own apps? Lies.
The app will no longer be supported at all, and its features and value will be lost forever. The developer(s) may be given token jobs at Google based on their skill level, but nothing very meaningful.
This is what Google does. They buy out their competitors, and shut them down.
Normally I cringe at the very mention of anticompetitive practices, but what you've just said is absolutely true. They will trail on for a little while, then disappear, never to be seen again.
I'm not saying it is nefarious, but it is true.
----------
Sometimes? Rarely?
But more often than not, Google AND Apple buy these companies because they see value in them and their tech.
One example is when Google bought Waze and incorporated them into Google Maps. Google bought Zagat and incorporated reviews into Google Maps. Quickoffice acquisition really improved Google Docs (later Google Drive). There are many more examples. Google bought Nest (not exactly the same since they sell hardware, but my point is they felt it fit into a grander vision).
And what has Nest done since then? They disabled the wave to silence feature in their smoke alarms, and did not release any new models. Of anything.
They have released nothing since Google bought them. No new products. Heck, the geofencing feature has been broken for Dropcam ever since Nest bought them. They haven't fixed it. Why?
So, maybe they are working on a self-aware home control unit that runs on ambient light and and supports every known home control protocol, but so far we've seen nothing, and they've completely lost both the momentum and buzz necessary for new companies. Extremely disappointing.
Those promises that Timeful's features will be integrated into Google's own apps? Lies.
The app will no longer be supported at all, and its features and value will be lost forever. The developer(s) may be given token jobs at Google based on their skill level, but nothing very meaningful.
This is what Google does. They buy out their competitors, and shut them down.
Doesn't matter who bought it, what matters is if it will work equally good on iOS and Android.
Just because Google bought it doesn't mean it is killed.
S-s-s-s-sparrowwww~~~. :(